Lehman’s Peter Gutierrez (left) and Richard Porche run down the field in tandem before breaking in different directions on their passing routes during a recent 7-on-7 game. (Photo by Judy Cooper)

by MARK CAUL

Not even a disappointing first round loss to Bowie in the league’s final post-season tournament could dampen the excitement generated by a very competitive 7-on-7 campaign for the Lehman Lobos.

The Lobos fell 26-18 in a first-round match-up that brought their most productive 7-on-7 season in school history to a grinding halt.

After Bowie jumped out to a quick 19-6 halftime advantage, senior Harvest Trammell and junior receiver Matt Riojas each scored on long touchdown passes in the second half to close within 19-18 before the Bulldogs added an insurance score late to clinch the victory and advance.

“We obviously didn’t play our best game but I don’t want our guys to focus how the season ended,” Lehman 7-on-7 head coach Don Meshell said. “I want them to remember how successful they were this summer and be proud of how far they’ve come this year.”

It was a summer that featured a much more focused and hungrier pack of Lobos thumping crosstown rival Hays 32-6 during their final match-up of summer league play.

There were also two eye-opening wins in the state qualifying tournament which included surprising victories over Class 5A schools Bastrop and Akins.

“Everybody on this team wanted to come out and prove that the Lobos were ready to play some football this summer,” said senior Kevin Ibanez. “Hopefully, the success we had this summer will give us a lot of confidence going into the fall.”

Much of that success could be attributed to last year’s successful summer campaign in which the Lobos advanced into the semi-final round of the Hays state 7-on-7 qualifying tournament.

Many of the veteran Lobos had very little trouble buying into Meshell’s fiery coaching style and the results were extremely positive.

“Coach Meshell is very intense and he let us know from the first day of practice that we were going to be more than just a football team, we were going to be like a family,” Trammell said. “He always kept us focused and made sure everybody came out and played hard. By the end of the first week of games, he had us feeling like we could beat anybody.”

Lehman head football coach Steve Davis believes the Lobos are on the right track but lamented the fact that his squad was missing a couple of key components that will be vital to their success in the fall.

“I would have liked to have seen Matt Angiuano (last year’s starting QB) participate this summer to get some work on running our offense,” Davis said. “We also didn’t get a chance to see Jaylon Hardaway (who was out with an injury), who will play a big role in our offense this season.”

One of the bright spots for Lehman was newcomer Levi Ridley, a transfer from Tennessee who is expected to be in the Lehman starting backfield this season.

“Levi has some talent but he just needs to get out there and show what he can do,” said Davis. “That means getting himself in the weight room and doing the things he’s going to be asked to do.”

As the fall season approaches, Meshell relished the opportunity to have worked with a new core of Lobos who will be attempting to make a serious playoff run during their next two years at Lehman.

“There’s no question we are closing the gap between some of the other teams in our district,” Meshell said. “All I tried to do was put them in a position to be able to make plays. Many of the guys on this team will be a big part of this program for the next few years so I’m looking forward to being even more successful next summer.”

Lobo fullback Richard Porche is anxiously awaiting the start of fall practice in August.

“Hopefully, this will be a new start for Lehman football,” Porche said. “I think we are ready to take the next step.”